Phys.org: Phys.org news tagged with: water contenthttp://phys.org/
en-usPhys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine.Water content thresholds recommended for Gardenia jasminoidesMore efficient irrigation management has become a primary focus in sustainable container plant production as growers look for ways to improve resource use and mitigate negative environmental impacts of fertilizers and pesticides that are often found in nursery runoff. Among the new technologies for increasing irrigation efficiency is the use of soil moisture sensors for automated irrigation. The practice allows nursery personnel to schedule plant irrigation when substrate volumetric water content drops below a certain threshold, thus improving irrigation efficiency by applying water only when needed.http://phys.org/news346335462.html
BiologyMon, 23 Mar 2015 13:17:50 EDTnews346335462Earth-like planets are more likely to orbit sun-like stars rather than lower-mass starsSimulations by researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University indicate that Earth-like planets are more likely to be found orbiting Sun-like stars rather than lower-mass stars that are currently targeted, in terms of water contents of planets.http://phys.org/news343375468.html
Astronomy & SpaceTue, 17 Feb 2015 06:04:37 EDTnews343375468Managing water resources in forest restorationHundreds of thousands of acres on the Coconino National Forest are slated for thinning during the next 20 years. Two NAU researchers want the forest restoration efforts to result in better water quality and quantity, a shift that could reduce wildfire risk, prevent post-fire flooding and save cities money in water treatment costs.http://phys.org/news329383386.html
EarthMon, 08 Sep 2014 09:30:02 EDTnews329383386How plants are responding to extreme rainfall trends and climate changeAustralian scientists are studying how plants worldwide will respond to more extreme rainfall in a future affected by climate change. They report that impacts will vary greatly across regions, meaning potentially dramatic disruptions to plant growth. This changed timing of rainfall may impact grasses and crops, with different rooting depths to trees, in different ways.http://phys.org/news321866661.html
EarthFri, 13 Jun 2014 09:00:06 EDTnews321866661New research could improve pharmaceuticals testingA UT Arlington chemistry professor, renowned for his work in the area of chemical separations, is leading an effort to find a more accurate way to measure water content in pharmaceuticals – a major quality issue for drug manufacturers.http://phys.org/news318097959.html
ChemistryWed, 30 Apr 2014 17:32:53 EDTnews318097959Misleading mineral may have resulted in overestimate of water in moonThe amount of water present in the moon may have been overestimated by scientists studying the mineral apatite, says a team of researchers led by Jeremy Boyce of the UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences.http://phys.org/news315578376.html
Astronomy & SpaceTue, 01 Apr 2014 13:39:50 EDTnews315578376Sensors allow for efficient irrigation, give growers more control over plant growthAs water use and runoff regulations become more stringent and concerns about dwindling water supplies become more of an issue, finding ways to increase the efficiency of water use for horticultural operations is crucial. A new study contains answers that can help horticultural growers address regulatory and cost concerns. Amanda Bayer, lead author of the research study, explained that most often horticultural best management practices (BMPs) are used to conserve water, but that BMPs do not account for water requirements of plants. "Soil moisture sensors can be used along with an automated irrigation system to irrigate when substrate volumetric water content drops below a set threshold, allowing for precise irrigation control and improved water conservation compared with traditional irrigation practices," Bayer said. Bayer and colleagues Imran Mahbub, Matthew Chappell, John Ruter, and Marc van Iersel from the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia published their research findings in the August 2013 issue of HortScience.http://phys.org/news298551305.html
EarthMon, 16 Sep 2013 11:55:15 EDTnews298551305New knowledge about permafrost improving climate modelsNew research findings from the Centre for Permafrost (CENPERM) at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, document that permafrost during thawing may result in a substantial release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and that the future water content in the soil is crucial to predict the effect of permafrost thawing. The findings may lead to more accurate climate models in the future.http://phys.org/news294231076.html
EarthSun, 28 Jul 2013 13:00:13 EDTnews294231076Elephants depend on water for cooling, but only when it gets too hotDuring the hot summer months, there's nothing quite like a nice refreshing and cooling dip in a pool, and it would seem that elephants agree. In fact, in some game parks, elephants will rarely stray far from water, and have even been, albeit controversially, called a water-dependent species. But are they really water dependent and if so what drives this dependence? Is it caused by a necessity to cool down?http://phys.org/news292761973.html
BiologyThu, 11 Jul 2013 11:46:26 EDTnews292761973Microbubbles point the way to a revolution in food processingResearchers at the University of Sheffield have found a more efficient way to dry products for food manufacture, using tiny, hot bubbles.http://phys.org/news289559884.html
ChemistryTue, 04 Jun 2013 10:18:10 EDTnews289559884Protecting history with satellitesLooking down from orbit is an attractive way of monitoring historical sites in remote or politically unstable regions – and can even help archaeologists to make new discoveries.http://phys.org/news284278294.html
EarthThu, 04 Apr 2013 07:30:01 EDTnews284278294Swift satellite sizes up comet ISON (w/ video)(Phys.org) —Astronomers from the University of Maryland at College Park (UMCP) and Lowell Observatory have used NASA's Swift satellite to check out comet C/2012 S1 (ISON), which may become one of the most dazzling in decades when it rounds the sun later this year.http://phys.org/news283780021.html
Astronomy & SpaceFri, 29 Mar 2013 12:47:09 EDTnews283780021Understanding the historical probability of droughtDroughts can severely limit crop growth, causing yearly losses of around $8 billion in the United States. But it may be possible to minimize those losses if farmers can synchronize the growth of crops with periods of time when drought is less likely to occur. Researchers from Oklahoma State University are working to create a reliable "calendar" of seasonal drought patterns that could help farmers optimize crop production by avoiding days prone to drought.http://phys.org/news278760691.html
EarthWed, 30 Jan 2013 09:31:40 EDTnews278760691Understanding the structure of subducting platesSeismic studies are helping scientists learn more about the structure of subducting oceanic plates.http://phys.org/news278660380.html
EarthTue, 29 Jan 2013 05:50:01 EDTnews278660380Boeing engineers use spuds to improve in-air Wi-FiIf the wireless Internet connection during your holiday flight seems more reliable than it used to, you could have the humble potato to thank.http://phys.org/news275423354.html
TechnologySat, 22 Dec 2012 18:29:37 EDTnews275423354Seeking tools for identifying hidden explosives at standoffThe threat to U.S. warfighters from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is as varied as the makers of IEDs are resourceful in how they design and conceal the explosives. The Department of Defense has developed and deployed detection and counter-measures for many types of IEDs, but as the threat evolves, new defenses are required to keep warfighters safe. DARPA created the Methods of Explosives Detection at Standoff (MEDS) program to confront a specific class of IEDs: those deeply embedded in substances such as mud, meat or animal carcasses—i.e., opaque substances with high water content that cannot be safely and effectively probed with current technology.http://phys.org/news269681692.html
TechnologyWed, 17 Oct 2012 08:35:01 EDTnews269681692Research vessel Polarstern returns with new findings from the Central Arctic during the 2012 ice minimumPolarstern is expected back from the Central Arctic expedition "IceArc" in Bremerhaven on 8 October 2012 after a good two months. 54 scientists and technicians from twelve different countries conducted research on the retreat of the sea ice and the consequences for the Arctic Ocean and its ecosystems over a period of two months in the High North. A number of new technologies were used for to film and photograph life in and below the ice down to a depth of 4400 metres. Since its departure from Tromsø (Norway) on 2 August 2012 Polarstern has travelled some 12,000 kilometres and conducted research at 306 stations. These included nine ice stations where the ship moored to an ice floe for several days to examine the ice, the water beneath it and the bottom of the sea.http://phys.org/news269086789.html
EarthWed, 10 Oct 2012 11:20:06 EDTnews269086789Update from Curiosity: Gale Crater might be drier than expected(Phys.org)—Preliminary data from the Curiosity Mars Science Laboratory, presented at the European Planetary Science Conference on 28 September, indicate that the Gale Crater landing site might be drier than expected. http://phys.org/news268048902.html
Astronomy & SpaceFri, 28 Sep 2012 11:01:55 EDTnews268048902Extensive water in Mars' interiorUntil now, Earth was the only planet known to have vast reservoirs of water in its interior. Scientists analyzed the water content of two Martian meteorites originating from inside the Red Planet. They found that the amount of water in places of the Martian mantle is vastly larger than previous estimates and is similar to that of Earth's. The results not only affect what we know about the geologic history of Mars, but also have implications for how water got to the Martian surface. The data raise the possibility that Mars could have sustained life.http://phys.org/news259507102.html
Astronomy & SpaceThu, 21 Jun 2012 14:19:28 EDTnews259507102Scientists use new method to zero in on source of tropical clouds(Phys.org) -- High above the Earth, clouds too thin to see cover the tropics. Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have found a creative technique to identify the clouds' origins. Using several satellite data sources, they identified cloud formation mechanisms that occur in two distinct conditions. Knowing the different formation mechanisms will help scientists predict the amount of water vapor in the upper atmosphere, which affects the balance of warming and cooling that determines the Earth's climate. Their research was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.http://phys.org/news254644626.html
EarthThu, 26 Apr 2012 07:37:15 EDTnews254644626Predicting Arctic sea ice loss(PhysOrg.com) -- Arctic clouds are strongly tied to Arctic sea ice loss. To find the strength of those ties, a team led by scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory tested a prominent climate model with observed data and found that it significantly underestimates liquid water content in specific Arctic clouds, which affects how much solar energy transfers to the sea ice. They point out the areas of bias and recommend specific improvements to reduce those shortcomings. Their study is published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.http://phys.org/news246006559.html
EarthTue, 17 Jan 2012 07:10:54 EDTnews246006559NASA studies vegetation canopy water content, soil moisture(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists seeking insight into the role vegetation plays in water fluctuation between soil and the atmosphere recently conducted research using specialized sensors during a series of NASA Airborne Science flights over California's San Joaquin Valley.http://phys.org/news243761548.html
EarthThu, 22 Dec 2011 07:33:57 EDTnews243761548Plant seeds protect their genetic material against dehydrationPlant seeds represent a special biological system: They remain in a dormant state with a significantly reduced metabolism and are thus able to withstand harsh environmental conditions for extended periods. The water content of maturing seeds is lower than ten percent.http://phys.org/news242043227.html
BiologyFri, 02 Dec 2011 11:00:03 EDTnews242043227Scientists simulate Moon and Mars exploration in Mojave desert(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA and a team of international researchers from Mars Institute and SETI Institute returned to the Mojave Desert this month to complete a series of field tests and simulations aimed at investigating how humans will conduct geotechnical surveys on the moon or Mars. http://phys.org/news241343972.html
Astronomy & SpaceThu, 24 Nov 2011 07:59:49 EDTnews241343972Scientists hope to create robot strawberry pickersScientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK's Measurement Institute, have developed an imaging technology which can identify the ripeness of strawberries before they are picked. The developers now hope to work with the agricultural industry to turn it into fruit picking robots that will reduce food waste and improve productivity.http://phys.org/news238213958.html
TechnologyWed, 19 Oct 2011 03:32:48 EDTnews238213958Students get a feel for soil-water relationshipsUsing little more than PVC rings, a trashcan, and a scale, students can literally get a feel for soil water retention and field capacity, concepts that are important and useful in fields from farming to engineering.http://phys.org/news199892138.html
EarthMon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:03 EDTnews199892138Moon whets appetite for waterScientists at the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory, with colleagues, have discovered a much higher water content in the Moon's interior than previous studies. Their research suggests that the water was preserved from the hot magma that was present when the Moon began to form some 4.5 billion years ago, and that it is likely widespread in the Moon's interior. The research is published in the on-line early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of June 14.http://phys.org/news195737606.html
Astronomy & SpaceMon, 14 Jun 2010 15:00:42 EDTnews195737606Better snowfall forecastingUniversity of Utah scientists developed an easier way for meteorologists to predict snowfall amounts and density - fluffy powder or wet cement. The method has been adopted by the National Weather Service for use throughout Utah - and could be adjusted for use anywhere.http://phys.org/news186040403.html
EarthMon, 22 Feb 2010 06:10:01 EDTnews186040403Leaves whisper their properties through ultrasoundThe water content of leaves, their thickness, their density and other properties can now be determined without even having to touch them. A team of researchers from the CSIC Institute of Acoustics and the Agri-Food Research and Technology Centre (CITA) of Arag&oacute;n has just presented an innovative technique that enables plant leaves to be studied using ultrasound in a quick, simple and non-invasive fashion.http://phys.org/news184415874.html
PhysicsWed, 03 Feb 2010 10:38:22 EDTnews184415874Secret of sandcastle construction could help revive ancient building technique, researchers sayThe secret of a successful sandcastle could aid the revival of an ancient eco-friendly building technique, according to research led by Durham University.http://phys.org/news163192352.html
TechnologyTue, 02 Jun 2009 20:13:30 EDTnews163192352